Although layoffs are still at a low level, more Americans claimed for jobless benefits last week.
The number of claims exceeded 230,000 for the sixth week in a row, which had not happened in nearly six months.
For the week ending July 2, there were 235,000 applications for unemployment benefits, up 4,000 from the previous week and the highest number since mid-January.
Claims had not exceeded 220,000 since January until early June, and this year they have frequently fallen below 200,000.
The claims four-week average increased by 750 from the prior week to 232,500, helping to smooth out some of the week-to-week volatility.
For the week ending June 25, there were 1,375,000 Americans receiving unemployment benefits nationwide, up 51,000 from the previous week.